LYRICS
Feathered kin in a flock
Together they equate stock
Thought intertwined with memory
Exposing treachery
Raise awareness, global endeavor
In the forefront, now and forever
Justice in fairness, a quest
Self-awareness, a welcomed guest
In ceaseless flight, a crusade
Against corruption’s dark shade
Ceaseless flight, a beacon of light
Illuminating perception’s height
Symbiotic bond, a dance
Embodying interdependence’s trance
Beyond brinkmanship’s strife
Towards transcendence, a new life
In a trance-state journey
Through stormy weather, unwavering
News of the world, unfurled
A poetic tapestry, beautifully swirled
- Huginn-and-Muninn-Part-I.mp3 (unplugged to conserve energy)
- Huginn-and-Muninn-Part-II.mp3
- Huginn-and-Muninn-Part-II-Instrumental.mp3
- Huginn-and-Muninn-LH-Casio-WK-3500.MID
Chords: G F E G E G / A C / E C D / E C D E / E C A D / E F G; Part II Ambient Country Pop @ 105 Beats Per Minute
Instrumentation: Vocals (TC-Helicon VOICELIVE and MiniNova Vocorder), Ibanez Acoustic Guitar (AW54CE), Keyboards (Korg PS60, Casio WK-3500, Yamaha PSR-740, MiniNova, MicroKorg)
ABOUT HUGINN AND MUNINN
In Norse mythology, Huginn (Old Norse: “thought”) and Muninn (Old Norse “memory” or “mind”) are a pair of ravens that traverse the world, Midgard, gathering information for the god Odin. These iconic ravens find mention in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources such as the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, as well as in the Third Grammatical Treatise by Óláfr Þórðarson. Skaldic poetry also contributes to the rich tapestry of their legend. The names Huginn and Muninn are sometimes anglicized as Hugin and Munin, aligning with the modern Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish spellings.
Scholars have drawn connections between Odin’s association with Huginn and Muninn and shamanic practices. John Lindow posits that Odin’s ability to dispatch his “thought” (Huginn) and “mind” (Muninn) parallels the trance-state journey undertaken by shamans. The stanza in Grímnismál, where Odin expresses concern about the return of Huginn and Muninn, aligns with the inherent dangers faced by shamans during their trance-state journeys, according to Lindow. Another intriguing perspective, proposed by Bernd Heinrich, suggests that Huginn and Muninn, alongside Odin and his wolves Geri and Freki, symbolize a symbiotic relationship observed in the natural world among ravens, wolves, and humans engaged in hunting activities.
THE HUGINN AND MUNINN METAPHOR
Huginn and Muninn, the mythical ravens from Norse mythology, can be metaphorically linked to the concept of climate change in several ways. These legendary birds, serving Odin as messengers and scouts, embody aspects of awareness, memory, and interconnectedness, which can be extended to symbolic representations of environmental consciousness:
- Global Awareness: Huginn and Muninn travel throughout Midgard, the world, gathering information for Odin. In a metaphorical sense, their ceaseless flight reflects the need for global awareness and understanding of environmental changes. Addressing climate change requires a collective, global effort, emphasizing the importance of information dissemination and awareness.
- Memory and Learning: Muninn, often associated with memory, represents the retention of knowledge. Metaphorically, this could symbolize the importance of learning from past environmental changes, understanding historical patterns, and using accumulated knowledge to address current climate challenges.
- Interconnected Ecosystems: Huginn and Muninn’s symbiotic relationship with Odin and other creatures, like wolves Geri and Freki, mirrors the interconnectedness of ecosystems. In the context of climate change, understanding the intricate relationships between different elements of the environment becomes crucial for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Responsibility and Stewardship: Odin’s reliance on Huginn and Muninn underscores a sense of responsibility for the well-being of Midgard. Metaphorically, this can be seen as humanity’s responsibility to act as stewards of the Earth. Climate change necessitates a collective commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship to ensure a harmonious coexistence with the planet.
- Trance-state Journey as Metaphor: Odin’s trance-state journey, associated with the return of Huginn and Muninn, can symbolize the introspective and transformative journey humanity must undertake to address climate change. The concerns expressed by Odin may echo the urgency and risks associated with delayed action on environmental issues.
While these connections are metaphorical and interpretative, they highlight the rich symbolism embedded in Norse mythology, offering insights into the broader themes of interconnectedness, responsibility, and the need for global awareness in the face of environmental challenges like climate change.
From the album: The Echoes of Earth’s Wrath:
A Musical Journey Through Mythical Metaphors on Human-Induced Climate Change
A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment
